Greek Hiring Cuts Effect Church

In the face of public sector hiring cuts in Greece the Church of Greece is requesting a partial exemption from the cuts so that it can provide salaries to new clergy serving in the country. The Greek Orthodox Church is the state church of Greece and its clergy are paid by the Greek government. More here.

Bulgarian Orthodox Priests Unionize

Bulgarian Orthodox priests in the Eparchy of Vratsa have unionized due to the failure of the diocese to pay them on time. Metropolitan Cyprian of Vratsa decries the priests' actions as scandalous. The priests' union will be open to other levels of clergy and others who work for the Church of Bulgaria (in the candle factories for example).

In Bulgaria most of the Church's clergy salary funds come from the sale of candles. When these are not adequate, however, the dioceses will often pay the priests in kind (often with unsold candles :-) ). The average priest's salary is around US $240 a month. More here.

Pictured is Sts. Peter and Paul's Cathedral in the Bulgarian city of Vratsa.